Best Comfort Bikes – Buying Guide 2018

With summer upon you, you’re probably trying to find a way to increase your sun time. One simple method is bicycling. However, with as many styles of bikes, there are on the market, it may be confusing to know what’s perfect for you. One such bike is the comfort bike.

The Comfort Bike Explained

Unless you’re a die-hard bicyclist, you’ve probably never heard of the comfort bike. That being said, it’s probably very likely that you’ve seen one without even realizing it. The comfort bike is crafted exactly for what it sounds like. Comfort and leisure. Unlike the mountain bike, which is made for harder and rougher terrain, the comfort bike is designed to be used for smooth terrain and short jaunts.

The wheels of a comfort bike are 26 inches and wider than mountain bikes. This is to create a smoother ride, so you’ve not jostled around while running errands. They also contain suspension systems to remove some of the shocks as you bike over potholes or rocks. Finally, the seat itself is usually made of a material that’s softer, so you have more comfort when sitting.

This article will focus on the best comfort bikes of 2018. Not only will it cover comfort bike reviews, but it will also offer up the best comfort bike for the money that you can buy. For those who want a simple, smooth ride for enjoyment or to run errands, then this article will equip you with the information you need.

Comfort Bike vs Hybrid

I have been asked many times what is the difference between a comfort bike and a hybrid bike. And the simple truth is that there is not much difference. In a few words, the comfort bike is a type of hybrid bike which is made for a more comfortable ride. In most cases, the biggest difference between a standard hybrid bike, and a comfort bike is the tire and wheel sizes.

Pretty Much Standard Hybrid Bike

Most comfort bikes use standard 26-inch tires ( 650c ) and most of the hybrid bikes use 700c tires. The 26-inch tires are wider and more comfortable for the rider. Although there is also a downside of the smaller size – lowest maximum speed, and more effort needed.

Another major difference is the tire pressure. Hybrid bikes have higher tire pressure in the tires compared to the comfort bikes resulting in higher speeds, and as previously mentioned less effort needed.

Best Comfort Bike Reviews 2018

When you think about bikes, the first brand that will likely pop into your head is Schwinn. It’s no surprise then that some of the best comfort bikes come from Schwinn, too. This bike, in particular, comes with a comfort frame and a suspension fork crafted by Schwinn engineers themselves. For those who are looking for an easy gift shifter to change their speed, look no further.

This bike has a micro shift 7-speed shifter as well as a Shimano rear derailleur to allow for quick and simple gear changes. So, if you intend to leisurely ride down a few bike trails but prefer to do so quickly, then this speed shifter and the derailleur is definitely something to consider.

Both the linear pull brakes and wheels are made of alloy. This offers an additional strength and durability to the bike. The seat is a Schwinn comfort seat designed for maximum comfort. Finally, the handlebars are swept back and are equipped with ergonomic handlebar grips.

These last two additions, the ergonomic grips and swept back style of handlebars, allows for an easy reach and a comfortable grip. Too often, bike riders end up with calloused or rough hands from the stress of holding onto rougher handlebar grips. Schwinn seeks to reduce that problem by offering a comfortable grip for anyone’s hand.

The body of the bike itself is sleek and stylish. The 7-speed shifter is also a feature that puts this comfort bike ahead of some of the others. It allows for quick zooming on errands where others tend to stick with only a few speed shifters if any at all. Due to Schwinn’s long and celebrated history, you can be sure that you are receiving excellent quality and customer service from this trusted brand.

Although a bit steeper in price than the previous Schwinn, the Raleigh is a force to be reckoned with in terms of weight rating. For those of a heavier nature who are looking to try their hand at biking, the Raleigh brand is excellent. Their frames hold up and offer excellent support for practically everyone. So, for those who are plus sized and need to worry about frames and weight ratings, then look no further than this comfort bike.

By and large, the comfort bike reviews for this particular bike have all boasted about its easy assembly and smooth ride. While the Raleigh does require a bit of assembly to put together, you shouldn’t have this turn you away from it. Most bikes that are shipped from a store require some form of assembly. This bike, in particular, already comes 85% assembled, so at most, you’ll likely just need to put on the pedals and handlebars.

If, however, that may seem out of your element as well, then you can easily take it to a nearby bike shop. They’d be happy to help you out and assemble it for you. Another aspect of a comfort bike to consider before you purchase is the sizing. The Raleigh bike comes in the following choices with the following height suggestions.

S=5’3″-5’6″, M=5’6″-5’9″, L=5’9″-6′, XL=6′-6’4″

If even after you’ve purchased the bike, it doesn’t seem to quite fit you, then you should follow this tutorial on Youtube.

For maximum comfort on your bike, you need to make sure that the bike is fitted to you properly. By following this individual’s advice, you can do that safely and efficiently, and you’ll be on the road shortly.

When looking for the best comfort bike for the money, you may want to consider a hybrid cruiser. While you may be thinking that the hybrid is different from the comfort bike, there are actually styles of hybrid bike that favors the comfort bike style such as this bike from Sixthreezero.

The key to this bike is versatility. It has a 19-inch swooping frame made from aluminum that allows for comfort and quick speed. The design is also crafted to keep the rider upright. This is the perfect posture for any rider to have as it helps reduce the tension in your shoulders and back.

As you might imagine, poor posture can result in aching shoulders and a bad back. So, that biking adventure may just end up ending sooner than you had planned. This article goes further into why having the right posture can not only affect your comfort level on the bike, but also the efficiency of your ride.

Similar to the previous Schwinn, this bike is also equipped with 7-speed shifters. So, you can either have a slow and leisurely stroll down the sidewalk or challenge yourself with a face-paced race on a bike trail. In addition, the saddle is dual-springed, so the comfort you have when bouncing over a few rough areas on the trail or road is hardly felt.

A few other key features of this bike include both front and rear handbrakes, so you can quickly transition on the trail or during high volume traffic areas. The tires are semi-slick, which means they are cushioned for maximum comfort but are also grippy enough to provide security on the trail. The width of these tires is 1.95 inches thick.

The bike itself comes in a sleek, black, design that is sure to make your neighbors jealous.

Another great thing about this bicycle is that it features a rear rack for optional baskets and panniers which is handy.

Also note that the bike is available with 1-speed, 21-speed, 3-speed, and 7-speed. You can choose between those options depending on your personal needs and preferences. I recommend the 7-speed option if you are a casual rider, and the 21-speed option if you need to climb hills.

PROS:

Sleek look

Many different models available ( 1-speed, 21-speed, 3-speed, and 7-speed );

Similar to the Sixthreezero, the Trace ST is a great comfort bike for anyone. This bike uses the comfortable position and frame of a mountain bike to allow for maximum power to be used when pedaling. It also keeps the rider upright in the correct position to pedal comfortably without straining the body incorrectly. The comfort bike plays a part in its wheels, which are larger ( Dual sport 700C tires ) than mountain bikes, and thus provides a smoother and more efficient ride.

I know that some bikers would say that the Trace ST is a normal hybrid bike, but I really think that it’s an extremely comfortable bike for daily commutes. That’s why I included it in this list.

This bike comes with a staggering 21 gear combinations. So, no matter what obstacle you intend to challenge, you have the gear that is perfect for you. It’s because of this wide range of gears that you can easily take this bike from the sidewalk and to some of the more rugged trails in the forest or local park.

The pull brakes are made from alloy, which means it provides excellent stopping power. In addition, the dual sports tires have fast-rolling traction. This means you can easily transition from street to dirt and not have to worry about sacrificing your comfort or power. Because the wheels are DB SL-27, they’re durable, so you can be sure that will last you for a while.

This bike also comes 95% assembled, so you can easily and quickly install the last few remaining parts and be on your way. The seat is hard enough to provide support, but still retains that cushion that you would expect in a comfort bike.

For those who want to use their bike on the street during the week and enjoy it on the trails on the weekend, you should consider the Diamondback. It’s an excellent quality bike that delivers the best of both worlds. The company is also eager to help with any problems that may arise, too.

Another amazing bike from Diamondback is the Wildwood Classic. As its name might suggest, this bike harkens the comfort bike back to simplicity. It does exactly what a comfort bike is meant to do. Provide a comfortable and easy ride for whatever purpose you have in store for it.

It utilizes the custom 26-inch wheels commonly found on all comfort bikes. The wheelbase is an incredible 5.90 inches, so you can expect plenty of traction and smooth riding. Diamondback also considers this to be a hybrid bike with an emphasis on the comfort parentage, so you can expect benefits from both classes of bikes.

The stem is adjustable, so if you find while you’re riding that the handlebars just aren’t quite settling right with the rest of your body, you can easily adjust them. Both height and angle can be adjusted for maximum comfort. The suspension fork is HL Zoom and comes with KindShock suspension to ensure that you don’t feel those bumps in the road. So, if you want to use your bike to run to the nearest grocery store, you won’t have to worry about the road jostling those delicate items in your bag.

The ride is super comfortable because of the included suspension inside the seat post, and the dual density padded seat.

If you want to try your bike out on the trail, you should know that this bike has three gears up front and seven in the rear of the bike. That allows for an abundance of gear settings to help take you over hills and down valleys with extreme ease. The bike is also quite light, so you can easily control it during climbs and rolls.

For those who want to use their bike on the street and in the wild, this bike will do wonderfully for you. It’ll climb practically anything and provide a smooth and comfortable ride through it all as well.

Another excellent comfort bike from Schwinn is this version of a hybrid bike. It’s relatively inexpensive, for one, but also combines both aspects of trail riding with extreme comfort. This bike comes with 21 micro shift speed shifters for whatever your needs may be. You can speed both up and down hills, not to mention across the street!

Both the front and back of the bike are equipped with alloy V brakes to help stop the bike immediately. The seat comes with springs as well as a suspension seat post. So, you can ride over bumps and hardly feel them. For those looking for maximum comfort, this bike’s excellent.

Schwinn Network 1.0 700c is the best comfort bike for women in my opinion. It comes with a good suspension fork for extra comfort.

If you are a woman looking for a nice hybrid or comfort bike to commute from/to work or to get fit then the Schwinn Network 1.0 is a perfect option.

Due to the 700C tires, this bikes is super quick and easy to ride on hills as well.

Schwinn Network 1.0 700C is a comfort bike with 21 speeds which means easier hill climbing and much quicker on downhills.

PROS:

Awesome comfort bike for women;

Quick 700C tires;

Super affordable;

CONS:

Some buyers complain the quality is average ;

Average Amazon Rating;

Final Conclusion

As we have learned the comfort bike is a subclass of the hybrid bike which is perfect for people who want to commute to/from work or to get fit. They are comfortable, smooth, and reliable. The comfort bike is a nice way to enter into the world of cycling without spending too much money.

Earnings Disclaimer: When you buy certain products from some of the sites which we link to, Yes Cycling receives a commission.

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

Yescycling.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.